Xbox 360 Laptop Mod

Tired of the Xbox 360's "look-how-hard-I'm-trying-to-look-hip" aesthetics? Mod it, young man. That's what Ben Heckendorn did, transforming the Xbox 360 into a much smaller, laptop-like fun adapter. Something like that. The laptop mod incorporates a 17-inch high definition LCD along with a built-in keyboard and Wi-Fi and stuffed into a shell that's no more than 2.8-inches deep.

The laptop 360 is water-cooled and cools more efficiently than a regular Xbox 360. Maybe Microsoft should've put Mr. Heck on the 360's development team.

1) Uses a 17" wide (diagonal) 1280x720 progressive-scan LCD VGA monitor (for HD-level resolutions) Thus you can actually read the text in Dead Rising.
2) Water-cooled with custom-built radiator. Allows for a slimmer main body versus the mammoth heat sinks in a stock 360.
3) Built-in keyboard and Wi-Fi.
4) USB hub allows original number of 3 USB ports for user.
5) All-aluminum case, except for plastic keyboard / ring of light / screen control area.
6) Uses single customized "expanded" power supply brick for both screen and Xbox 360.
7) Breakout ports on back allow hookup to component TV, VGA monitor, sound system (analog or TOSlink) and even crummy composite video.
8) Size: 16.75" x 10.75" x 2.8" Weight: 14 pounds (with water loaded)

With all the troubleshooting done I could finally assemble the last bits of the unit, seal it up and complete it. FINALLY. This mostly involved installing the front plates such as the keyboard, ring of light and screen controls. Here are several photos of the completed unit:

Photo behind the 360 laptop, with super power plug.
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The finished unit, loaded with distilled water, weighs about 14 lbs, according to my bathroom scale.

Xbox 360 laptop, closed, on table.
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The total thickness of the final unit is 2.8 inches. goal was for it to be under 3.

Front detail, with controller.
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Here you can see the eject button for the lid (front, near the Ring of Light) and front exhaust holes which have their own fan. Inside one of the holes is the "Bind" button for the controllers.

The DVD tray, in "eject position" Note the lid open button and front USB port on the right. Noted? Great.

The DVD tray BARELY fit through the hole I had cut, even after I hand-Dremeled an extra bit of room at the top. Oh well, I'll take barely fits over DOESN'T fit any day!